MPEG-1 is a format for digital video defined by the ISO Motion Picture Expert Group. This format is used in Video CD's for providing high quality video with a resolution of 352x240 pixels. You can encode a video tape into MPEG-1 format and then put the file on a Video CD using a PC with a CD-R drive.

The software used in our video encoding PC (in Room RR-104) for encoding the MPEG-1 video is the Snazzi Amigo. This tool converts standard video files into MPEG-1 video format.  Standard video files which can be converted are: VHS tape, DV tape and AVI files.  The MPEG-1 video file can be played by the Windows Media Player and other MPEG-1 video players.

The following describes how to use the Snazzi Amigo software to convert a standard video into an MPEG-1 video file.

The Snazzi Amigo Main Window

Let's briefly discuss the different components of the Snazzi Amigo main window. This is where you create, start, view and stop a recording process.

The left side of the window is where you monitor the recording process. It shows you the input video during a recording process.

The right side contains buttons for various operations: record, play and setup.  Configurations of the recording are set here. When you click any of these buttons, the main window changes to allow you to enter your settings. For example, when you click the Setup button, an extension of the window appears on the left (as shown in the following paragraph). When you click the Recorder button, other buttons will appear to let you select other settings.

Creating an MPEG-1 Video

With Snazzi Amigo, you can record from media devices such as DV Video Camera and VHS tape. Before you begin the recording process, make sure that your media device is properly connected and is working correctly.

1. Click Setup from the main window.


An extension of window appears on the left.


 

2. Select Video Input, Video Source, Video Standard. If you record from our VCR, you can use the following settings:


Video Input: S-Video
Video Source: VCR
Video Standard: PAL
 

3. Start to play your video tape in the VCR and press the Recorder button from the main window. (Please be calm! You can rewind your tape to the starting position before recording in step 6)


A new set of buttons are shown on the right, and you will find your video playing in the main window.


 

4. Click the Options button on the right.


Again, an extension with options appears on the left.


 

5. Press the Duration button to set the duration of the recording. Snazzi Amigo stops recording automatically when the set duration is over. You can also change the value of other settings. Here are suggested values for these settings:


Record: Video & Audio
Video: SIF, 1.15Mb/sec
Audio: Real-time - Stereo
 

6. Rewind the tape in the VCR to the starting position and start recording by clicking the Record button on the right.

 
7. You can stop the recording process at any time by pressing the Stop button on the right (the Stop button is shown after you click the Record button), or just wait for Snazzi Amigo to stop recording automatically.

 
8. Click the Save button to save your MPEG-1 video file onto the disk.